New Zealand Kiwis Coach Stacey Jones Unveils Experienced 21-Man Squad for 2025 Pacific Championships
Stacey Jones, the newly appointed head coach of the New Zealand Kiwis, has named a seasoned 21-man squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships campaign against Samoa and Tonga. This powerful roster blends veteran leadership with emerging talent to mount a strong challenge in the upcoming Pacific tournament.
A return of familiar faces and new challengers
Jones’ squad is anchored by stalwarts who missed the 2024 Pacific campaign due to injury but were part of the triumphant 2023 side. These include Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels), Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), and the Sharks pair Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.
Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran, who recently announced his retirement following the Titans’ 2025 season, will don the black and white jersey one final time in what promises to be an emotional farewell to his Kiwi career. Jones has welcomed him back to steer the attack with experience.
Joining this campaign is NRL premiership-winning forward Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos), who earns his first Kiwi cap. Willison’s inclusion adds raw power and depth to the forward pack.
Rising stars and steady campaigners
Several rising international stars who debuted in 2024 have been retained. Among them are Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors), Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle Knights), Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans), Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), and Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters). Clark, McLean, and Whyte all delivered breakout seasons in 2025, earning nominations to the Dally M Team of the Year, with Clark clinching Lock of the Year honors.
Longstanding contributors are also part of the mix. Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), the 2025 NRL top points scorer, returns to the fold. Isaiah Papali’i, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, and Matthew Timoko, all of Penrith or Canberra Raiders heritage, retain their selection. Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins) and Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders) bring depth in hooking and backline cover.
Leadership is anchored by James Fisher-Harris (c) (New Zealand Warriors), who will once more lead the side. He is joined by fellow Warriors man Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in a strong representation from the club.
Fixtures, format and expectations
The Kiwi campaign kicks off on October 19 with a clash against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. After a bye week, the squad reconvenes to face Tonga at Eden Park on November 2. The Pacific Championships final is slated for November 8 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
In this Pacific Championships tournament, New Zealand must navigate tough challenges from Samoa and Tonga to reach the final. The dual contests – the Pacific Championships matches against Samoa and versus Tonga – will test squad depth, chemistry, and resilience.
With the returning experience of Foran and Asofa-Solomona balanced by the hunger of young talent like Willison and Clark, Jones’ 21-man squad appears well-balanced. The combination of seasoned campaigners with fresh energy could be the formula to reclaim Pacific supremacy.
By blending leadership, attacking creativity, forward muscle, and emerging stars, the New Zealand Kiwis squad for the Pacific Championships reflects strategic ambition. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on how Jones’ squad performs on the Pacific stage, and whether this team can deliver the title back to the Kiwis.
